complete verse (Genesis 39:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 39:13:

  • Kankanaey: “When the woman saw that he had left-behind his clothing in his running to go-out,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Seeing that Joseph had escaped, leaving his shawl in her hand” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When the woman saw that Jose had-gone-out and she held his outer garment,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When she saw that he had run outside leaving his cloak in her hand,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 39:13

Verses 13-18 report the wife’s false version of this incident. Verse 13 follows the same sequence of events as in verse 12. In some languages it may be desirable to begin a new paragraph at this point (as in New International Version, Contemporary English Version).

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .